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Editorial Verdict: Somalia at a Crossroads — Demagoguery, Patronage and the Fraying of Federalism Three and a half years into a four‑year term, critics of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud argue that the promise of a renewed Somalia — one that could finally suppress Al‑Shabaab, rebuild institutions and knit together fractious clans — has been replaced by a politics of personalization. What began as hopeful restoration has, they say, slid toward centralisation, clientelism and the politicisation of security and aid. The…

EU warship seizes suspected pirate ‘mother ship’ off Somalia after tanker hijack; 24 crew freed unharmed A 30-hour standoff ends without casualties in the Western Indian Ocean European naval forces have captured an Iranian-flagged dhow believed to have served as a pirate “mother ship” in the hijacking of the oil products tanker Hellas Aphrodite, bringing a tense 30-hour standoff to a close and freeing all 24 crew members unharmed, officials said. Operation Atalanta, the European Union’s counter-piracy mission, said the dhow…

Why Sweden’s Quiet Mission in Somalia Matters MOGADISHU — This summer, small units of the Swedish Armed Forces arrived in Somalia. They are not the first foreign troops to set foot here, but their focus — training, advising and what militaries call “technical exploitation” — speaks to a shift in how European nations are choosing to engage with fragile states long shadowed by jihadist violence. “We were invited,” a Swedish defence statement said, underscoring a rarely spoken rule of intervention in Somalia: foreign help is…

European naval forces shadow Somali pirates after string of attacks; no immediate threat to shipping, officials say NAIROBI — European Union naval forces and allied navies are keeping a close watch on a pirate group off Somalia’s coast after a spate of attacks in recent days, but they say commercial shipping faces no immediate danger thanks to an international security presence. In a brief posting on X on Wednesday, EUNAVFOR Operation Atalanta said the suspected pirates “remain in the area under surveillance,” urging…

5 Protein-Packed Breakfasts to Tackle Belly Fat After 40 As we age, our bodies undergo numerous changes, especially after hitting that milestone of 40. It's no secret that maintaining a healthy weight becomes a bit trickier, particularly when it comes to stubborn belly fat. "Protein is your metabolism's best friend after 40," says Tara Collingwood, a Board Certified Sports Dietitian. "It keeps you full, preserves muscle, and helps your body burn more efficiently." In this blog post, we’ll dive into five delicious,…

Somalia Passes Revised Anti-Piracy Law as Attacks Resurface Off Its Coast Unanimous vote in Mogadishu Somalia’s Parliament has overwhelmingly approved a revised anti-piracy and anti-kidnapping law, a sweeping update to legislation first written in 1975, as authorities confront a worrying uptick in attacks along one of the world’s most strategic sea lanes. All 140 lawmakers present backed the bill, an unusual show of unity in a chamber more accustomed to hard bargaining over security and federal powers. “This is a…

A Gate Birth in Mogadishu Sparks a Bigger Question: Who Gets Care in Somalia? In a city that understands endurance, one image has shaken Mogadishu this week: a woman giving birth on the steps outside Banadir Maternity and Children’s Hospital after she was reportedly refused admission while in active labor. An elderly passerby helped bring the child into the world at the hospital gate, witnesses said. Both mother and newborn were later reported in critical condition. The incident, on October 26, triggered outrage far beyond…

Djibouti’s president vows to run again — and the world must weigh the price of stability When President Ismail Omar Guelleh accepted his party’s nomination this week to run for a sixth term in Djibouti’s 2026 election, he did more than announce another campaign. He formalized a trajectory that has steadily reworked the rules of governance in this tiny but strategically vital Horn of Africa nation: the removal of limits that once capped age and terms for the presidency, and the consolidation of a political order in which…

7 Protein-Packed Snacks to Maintain Muscle Health After 50 As we gracefully age, our nutritional needs shift, often demanding a closer look at what we’re consuming to support our vitality and muscle health. For those over 50, maintaining muscle mass becomes vital—not just for strength but also for overall physical and mental well-being. Research underscores the importance of protein in this journey; Tara Collingwood, a renowned sports dietitian, highlights that “after 50, protein becomes your body's best tool for preserving…

The Path to a Healthier You: 6 Essential Eating Tips for Flattening Belly Overhang After 45 As we age, our bodies undergo significant changes, especially when it comes to weight management. For many of us, particularly women who have experienced childbirth or those who have lost weight, a common challenge is the dreaded "stomach overhang." But fear not—this article is here to share some simple yet effective eating habits that can help you flatten that belly overhang and promote overall health. We reached out to the…